Automatic train-pipe connecter



March 26, 1929. J. ROBINSON 1,706,752

I AUTOMATIC TRAIN PIPE CONNECTER Original Filed April 2 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 NVENTO:

4 Sheets-Sheet 2 J. ROBINSON AUTOMATIC TRAIN PIPE CONNECTER Original Filed April 2, 1921 March 26, 1929.

March 26, 1929. ROBINSON 1,706,752

AUTOMATIC TRAI N PIPE CONNECTER Original Filed April 2. 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 \NVEZ "rum. 6* \A 580 1; mmw {mum ATTonNsY:

March 26, 1929. ROBINSON 1,706,752

AUTOMATIC TRAIN PIPE. CONNECTER Original Filed April 2, 1921 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 I I l l 41 z E q 52 u Nvzw o;

5*! W wmmm Mm ATTORNEYS of an automatic necter thus necessitating.

of the uiiequipped as'is well known,

Patented Mar. 26,1929. f

' Josiarn ROBINS N, 01 NEW ou, Y:

auroma'rrc' TRAIN-PIPE connnc'rnn.

Application My invention relates to improvements in automatic train pipe connccters and" has among its objects to provide anyimproved means of coupling a car equipped with the automatic .coniiecter into interchange. communication with a car not so equipped. Another object ofthe invention is to provide a simple and efficient lIlGflllS'fOl removing a defective gasket from between the faces of mated connector heads while the cars remain coupled, and i provemeiit is to provide a simple and efficient universal support.for supporting the connecter from the car, which will permit the connector head to be swung out of the normal position when it is desired to couple the connector hose into interchange communication with the hose of a car not equipped with the automatic device. One of the prime essentials to the success connecter, especially in freight service, is that the hose of a car equipped with it must be capable of beingi'eadily connected into communication with the hose of a car not so equipped. The means heretofore employed to accomplish this end have invariably addedconsiderable complication to the connecter proper, impairing its eiiiciency and objectionably adding 'toIits cost i In other instances such means has been formed separately of the connector and attached thereto when liltCIfl- The S obj ection to these devices is that they part of the car cont'lie. automatic con that the train nen go a considerable distance to procure the in? terchange device. in order to couple the hose of the car equipped with the automatic connector 'into communication with the hose car. In addition tothe delay thus occurring, this type of interchange device frequently becomes lost, for, it is lmost impossible to change was desired. V forms of interchange must be carriedon somev siderably removed, from loose freight caragainstloss. With my present impi'oveme t the interchange couplingis always with the connecter thus enabling a car equipped witli'the automatic conncctei' to bc immediately coupled to one not so equipped. The arrangement is simple, d

ditional friction to the flow'of the; air from one car to the other, practically no and adds additional parts to the connector. Flie ob.-

insure any being coupled equipped car,

a still further object of my 1 invention resides in Zings in which 1510f the bracket Gwhich is engaged showing the spring I provement comprises or detachable part of a filed April 2, 1921, SerialNb. 458,120. Renewed February 13 1929.

jectioi heretofore encountered, that the hose leading which forms apart of the connector proper intothe hose of the un is removed by my improved joint-being so constructed universal joint, the

that the couplinghead of the-connecter may be shifted out of the Way when it is desired to make interchangej .With these and ther objects in view my the combinations, arrangement andconstructions hereinafter described,-pointed outin the appended claims, 'andfillustrated iii-the accompanyingdraw- ,Figure lifs a side elevation of my improvement showing i transverse section, and showing a portion of the universal joint in vertical section. In this view the car coupler and hose shown in Figure 3, are omitted. Figure 2 is a sectional plan view of my improvement showing in section the interchange device and the means for renewingv defective gaskets. In this view the'portion by the upper part of the flange 11 is also shown in section. 4

Figure 3 is a rear viewof my improvement l broken awayan the tie rod-18 in section, Inthis view the automatic connecter is swungout of the Way of the 1 connecterhose'23 so as to permit this hoseflto be coupled into the hose 24 of the unequippedcar,.as shown. I H Figure 4 is a rear view of my improvement taken on the line 1-4: of Figure 1. r Figure 5is a rear; view thereof taken on the line-"5 5 of Figure 1, and Figure (Sis a vertical section through an automatic connecter head of the passenger type, provided with my improvement. Referring now to the drawings: a coupling her of the butt'facewing other suitable design.

y imwhich may be ei type as shown or any member or body B comprising tions 7 and 8 lying oneabove t spaced portions sides of the longitudinal center line of member and in the horizontal plane, is suitably connected to .the head A. I preferably 7 form the mei ber integral with the head as shown. The rearends of the portions M from the connector to thetrain pipe .15 too, short tov permit an interchange device the interchange couplingin head A. 10o

spaced pore other, and

9 and 10 lying on opposite 105 said ' couplet 1,706,752 terminate in a vertically extending flange therefrom as shown. The nipple is provided 11 perforated as shown particularly in Figures l and 3 and having on its rear face an annular seat or bearing 2. The flange has a V-shaped opening 13 in its upper portion, as shown particularly in Figure 2, which opening is adapted to receive a eoi'u 'illementarily formed portion 14 of the bracket O. Extending downwardly from this portion 14 I provide a cylindrically formed projection 15 having a seat 16 in which is pivotally mounted the head or eye 1701 a tiered or pivot device 18. The tiered extends rearwardly through. the perforation in the flange 11 and through .a buffer spring-D and carries at its rear end a nut or abutment 19 .adjustably mounted on the tie rod and serving to con fine the butter spring D between the flange 11 and the annular bearing 20 on the said nut or abutment. By this arrangement the spring I) is'placed under therequired initial properly maintain the cou normal horizontal coupling position. Immediately below the head 17 of the pivot device 18 I provide the flange c end of the vertically extending projection 15 to prevent the pres sure of the butter spring D unduly tilting the coupling head upwardly when in the unposition.

It will. be observed that any movement of the coupling head A laterally from the nor mal position, shown in the Figiu'es 1 and 2, will cause the flange 11 to ride along theinelined surface of the portion 14- of the bracket see especially Figure 2, against the tension of the buffer spring D. his movement Will place the buffer spring under additional comiiression insuring that the head A will be returnedto the normal position when the force tending to shift it laterally is removed. The force retpiire-d to thus shift the coupling head is no more than an operator can readily exert byputting his feet against the connector and giving it a shove.

coupling headA out of the vay and permit ting ready connection of the hose 23 across to the hose 24 of the unequipped car-see Figare 3. It will be observed from Figure 2 that the pivot device 18 is of considerable Width for quite a distance to the rear of the flange ll. This is to provide a wide face for the flange to rest upon,

, as it is by this means, and through the socl ret connecti on of the pivot device with the vertically ex tending nipple 25 to support it a 32 connected bearing 'sur with a rear face 27 for engaging .a gasket 28 carried in the head E of my improved interchange.- A suitable foot 29 is provided on the on the lower web 8 ()It' the member B, a simple form of lock comprising a chain link 30being inserted in the opening in the foot and projecting into a hole 31 formed in the lower web-8+see Figure 5. The link is weighted by a suitable Weight in any desired manner to the link 30." hen the head E ot my improved interchange is removed from the coupled position, the fitting 25 may be extracted from the coupling head A by lifting the link 30 upwardlynntil its weight 32enga'ges the nn derside of the lower web 8-see especially Figure 5.

by shifting the nipple rea'rwardly out of the coupling head A. This'extraction oith'e nipplc is of course effected only when the head E of my improved interchange removed from out of tl Figure 2. The said head .E is, coupling contour, a duplicate of the present well known hand operated hose coupling. It is provided with a lateral opening 34 which, when the head is attached to the automatic connector, points in the direction of the coupling head'A, and when coupled to the hose '24 as respects its either by swinging it laterally or a i 10 coupled position, shown in ot a car not having the auton'ia'tic connector opposite direction, as appears GSPGCIEIHYIH F1gures2 and 3. This is made necessary by the fact that the opening in the present hand operated hose coupling leads from the face of such coupling in just the opposite direction to that show-11in Figure 2 by my improved interchange head E. When it is desired to couple the interchange into the present hand operated coupling, the head E must be rotated alignment with the complementary opening in the hand operated coupling.- To permit oi this rotation I provide my im 'irovement With a swivel joint comprising a collar or nut 35 rigidly screwed to the head E, and a fitting or nipple 36 rotata'bly connected to the head by the 11111135. Toseal to "bring its openingfi l into the oi nt between,

thisnipple and the rear end of the head E, V

I provide a suitable gasket 37 having an interior annular groove 38 to admit the fluid pressure thereto, whereby the gasket-"is eX- panded into tight engagement with the head E and the-nipple 36, thereby positively preventingany leak of the fluid at this joint. IVhen the fluid pressure is absent, as ing interchange, the joint may be easily swivelled, while with the pressure on it is practically rigid. a a

o insure correct positioning-of my improved interchange,with respect to the me1nber B, I provide the head E witha rib 39 in makvice 42 extends vertically rear face, 27

between the head E and the fitting.

head A. It will shifting of the adaptedtoenter a groove aOformed in the member B,

which arrangement properly guides the head E into correct position, a shoulder 41 being formed on the web 39m engage a side of the member B, as shownin Figure 2, to'limit the inwardmovement of the head E.' A cam, or other suitable-locking dethrough the memher B at the junction between the ribs 7, 8, 9 and 10 and servesto shift the head E' of my improved interchange forward "against the of this litting25, thus compress- 28 and insuring a tight joint By the same movement of the cam device 42 the litting is the coupling-head A, and in case the interchange E has been removed from the connecter'for the purpose of extracting the fitting 25 to replace a defective gasket, the cam device 42 will act, upon reassemblyof the parts, to force thegasket43, carried at theforward end of the fitting 25, into compressed position with the-gasket of a mating coupling in g the gasket form of gasket is used in the fitting, in the port opening 34 of my improved interchange E, andat the swivel joint formed by the head E, the nipple 36andthe nut 35; Thus the jointbetween the head E and the nipple 36 is sealed by the fluid pressure within these arts.

It will be observed also, particularly in Figures 2 and 4,-that the cam device 42 is providedwith a handle or weight 44: pivotally connected to the cam deviceas at 45 which handle serves both to facilitate shifting o the cam and to prevent accidental disconnection of the heads-E of my improved interchange from the serviceposition. In Figure 2 the interchange is shown in the proper assembled and locked position 'with respect to the connector, and the weighted handle; 44 of the cam device tlis shownnormally pending downward and abutting a portion .of the member B, by which engagement. accidental cam: from the service positlon is prevented. WVhen it is desired to break the joint between thehead E of my improved interchange and the nipple or conduit 25, the weighted handle is lifted to thep osition shown in dotted lines in-Figurev-l and is moved towards the bracket C of the connecter until the camc moves outof its recess 46, formed in the web 39 of the interchange E, whereupon the interchange may be removed from the connector, see Figures 2 and'3. This done, it is but necessary to shift the coupling head A to a position crosswise of the. track, as shown in FigureB, to permit the interchange E to be coupled into the hose 2a of the unequipped car.

.Figure 6 shows an ordinary type of butt face coupling head F provided with therequiredgthree vertically aligned openings to carry the signal air, brake air,

the same in this head as those shown in Figure in any desired manner,

forcedinto rigid engagement with and bolts 51, and any suitable means, such'as members and parts be observed that a common f adapted the combination with a prising tour of the standard hand operated hose and steam, the central port, andthe uppermost port,of this head being provided with my improvement, asshown. The parts'for this purpose are 2-, except that theinterchange head 47 and the nipple 48 in the uppermost port are of slightly less dimension than the correspondlng partsoperating in the central port of the head E. -Cams 49' and 50, such as hereinb'efore described, are employed tolockthe'parts in position."" a I The bracket'C of my improved connecter may be secured tothe usual car coupler G such as by a lug wings or prongs 52, may be employed to align the coupling head A of my improved connecter with 'theopening head. "The various of my improvement are, of course, so proportioned and. arranged asto permit of proper assembly and operation;

'VVl1at I claim is: i I l 1. In an automatic tranrpipe connecter, the combmatlon withalcouphng head and a suitable support therefor, of a train pipe hose to be connected into communication an ad- 7 adapted with said head and with the hose of ja'cent unequippedcar,and a common means I for effecting such connection,-said means comprising a fitting'carried at one'endof said train pipe hose and rotatablei relative theretor I I c 2. .In an automatic train pipe connecter, the combination with a coupling head and a suitable support therefor, of a. train pipe hose to be connected :into communication with said head'and with the-hose of an ad- I jacent unequipped car, and a common means for effecting such connection, said means com-' prising a train'pipe hose and requiring to be rotated relative thereto in connect ng the train pipe hose from the automatic connecterto the hose of the unequipped car and vfrom said last mentioned hose back I to the automatic con necter'." I

fitting carried at one end of said I 3. In an automatic trainpipe' connecter, 7

coupling head and a suitable support therefor, of a train'pip e hose adapted to be connected into communication withsaid head and with the hose of an adjacent unequipped car, and a common'means for eflecting such'connection, said means comfitting having the coupling concouplingcarried atone end of said train pipe hose and rotatableirelative thereto.

I 4. In an automatic train pipe connecter, I

the combination with a coupling head and a suitable support therefor, of atrain pipe hose adapted to be, connected into communication with said head and with the hose of an adfor effecting such connection, saidmeans comja cent unequipped car, and a common means the combination with said head and with effecting such connection 'fitting'carried at one end of said train eprising a fitting carried at one end of .said

train pipe hose and provided with a fluid tight swivel joint for permitting rotation of said fitting relative to said train pipe hose.

5 In an automatic train pipe connector, with acohpling head and a suitable support therefoigof a train pipe hose adapted to be connected into communication with said head and with the hose of an adjacent unequipped car, a common means for effecting such connection, said means comprising a fitting carried at one end of said train pipe hose and rotatable relative thereto, and means for locking said fitting in the service position with respect to said coupling head. o

6. In an automatic train pipe connecter, the combination with acoupling head and a suitable support thel-ei oryoi' a train pipe hose adapted to be connect-ed into communication with said head and with the hose of an unequipped car, a common means for effecting such connection comprising a fitting carried at one end of said train pipe hose and being rotatablerelative thereto, and means for positioning said fitting with respect to said head and for locking the fitting in such position.

7. In an automatic train pipe connector, the combination with a coupling head and a suitable support therefor, of a train pipe hose adapted to be connected into communication with said head :and wit-l1 the hose of an adjacent unequipped car, a common means for efi'ectingsuch connection comprising a fitting carried at one end ofsaid train -pipe hose and being rotatable relative thereto, and means for guiding said fitting into service position, and means for maintaining the fitting in such position. Y

'8. In an automatic train pipe connector, the combination with a couplinghead and a suitable'support therefor, of a train pipe hose adapted tobe connected into communication the hose of an adconnnon means for comprising a fitting carried at one end of said train pipe hose jacent unequipped car, a

and rotatable relative thereto, means for guidingsaid fitting into the service position, and manually operated cam means for locking the fitting in such positio 9. In'an automatic train pipe connector, the combination with a coupling head and a suitable support therefor, of atrai-n pipe hose adapted to be connected into communi-v cation with said head and'withthe hose oi? ran adj acentunequipped car, a common means for effecting such connection comprising a P P hose and being rotatable relative thereto, means for positioning said fitting with respect to said coupling head, and n'ieans'tor maintaining said positioning means in the service position to ment of said fitting.

prevent undesired move- 10. In an automatic train pipecom ecter,

the con'ibination of a coupling head,a sup port therefor, a conduit extending into said head, means for n'iaintaining said conduit in position with respect to the head, a trainpipe hose adapted to be connected into communicationwi'th said conduit andwith the hoseot 11. In an automatic train pipe connector,

the combination of a perforated coupling head, a supporting membertherefor, ,a -;con duit projecting into the perforation in said head and having a. rear face, an interchange coupling provided with a gasket aligning with the opening in said conduit. and abutting said rear face, and, clamping means mounted on said supporting I, n ieinber for forcing said gasket against said conduit to form a fluid tight joint between tl-le gasket andysaid rear face; v 12. In an automatic train pipe connector,

the combination of a perforated coupling head, a supporting member there-tor, a conduit projecting into the perforation in said head and having a rear face, an interchange coupling abutting the rear face of said conduit, means mounted on said supporting member for forcing said interchange coufitting having the pling againstthe conduit, and a gasket to seal the joint between said conduit and said interchange coupling, said gasket being pressed into tight engagement with the conduit by the fluid pressure therein.

13. In .an automatic train pipe connector, the combination with a coupling hcadsuitably supported-from a car, of a member extending rearwardly away from said head and comprising spaced portions, a conduitapoSitioned between said portions and extending into said. head, an interchange device adapted to be inserted between said portions, means. on said member to guide saidin-terchange device intoposition with-respect to said conduit, and

means connecting said interchange device with thei'train pipe of the car.- I V 14. In an automatic train pipe connector, the combination with a perforated coupling head and a suitable support therefor, of a conduit extending into said perforation, a

gasket in said-perforation, an interchange "device abutting said conduit, and manually operated means co operating with said interchan-ge device to maintain said conduit in the service position whereby the conduit and. said gasket'may be removed and replaced while mated coupling heads remain coupled up in service. 1

1 5. In an automatic train pipe connecter, the combination with a coupling head and an interchange device for coupling the hose to receive the similarly shaped face of a co-' operating member whereby said coupling head may be shifted from the normal couphng positlon to permit said interchange device being coupled across to the hose of an co-operatmg cam members adapted to comunequipped car. J v

16. In an automat1c tram pipe connector, the combination. wlth a coupling head and 1 an interchange device for coupling'the hose of the car equipped with said headiintocommunication with said head, of a yieldable support for the head, said support comprisin g a bracket having at its lower end a non-circular pro ection, a pivot device pivotably mounted upon said pro ection whereby said coupling head may be rotated around said projection.

out of the normal coupling position to permit said interchange device to be coupled to the hose of an unequipped car, and means for maintaining said coupling head in said. 1o tated position.

17. In an automatic train pipe connector,

the combination with a coupling head and an interchange device for coupling the hose of the car equipped with said head ,into'com munication with said head, of a yieldable support for the head, said support comprismg a bracket having at its lower end a projection,

a pivot device pivotably mounted upon said projection whereby said coupling head may be rotated around said projection out of the normal coupling positionto permit said inter change device to be coupled to the hoseof an unequipped car, and means for yieldingly, maintainin said coupling head in said ro-- tated position.

18. In an automatic train pipe connector, the combination with a coupling head and an interchange device for couplinglthe hose of the car equipped with said head into communication with said head, of a support for permitting free universal movement tosaid head said su oort com I1S1I10 a s rm" and 7 D D press said spring to permit said coupling head to be shifted from the normal uncou- 19. In an automatic train pipe connecter,

a coupling head, a bracket, a member connected to said head and supported on said bracket, sald bracket having a non-c rcular portion at its lower end, said member having apo-rtion adapted to, be ar against the noncircular'portion of said bracket, said member beingrotatablc about said non-circular portion of the bracket, a coiled spring for forchea'dmaybe maintained in normal coupled ,ing said member against the non-circular portion of the bracket, whereby said member and position or moved out of such position, afieX- S ible train pipe hose, means on said hose for .detachably connecting the same to said 0011- pling head when the latter is in normal cou-' pling position, and for detachably connecting the same to a similar hose on an adjacent car I when said head is moved out of normal coupling position. i

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature. JOSEPH ROBINSON. i I 

